Author's note read by the author.
New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center's The Bodyguard is unabashedly romantic, laugh-out-loud funny, and the perfect summer read.
She's got his back.
Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten teacher than somebody who could kill you with a wine bottle opener. Or a ballpoint pen. Or a dinner napkin. But the truth is, she's an Executive Protection Agent (aka "bodyguard"), and she just got hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from his middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker.
He's got her heart.
Jack Stapleton's a household name—captured by paparazzi on beaches the world over, famous for, among other things, rising out of the waves in all manner of clingy board shorts and glistening like a Roman deity. But a few years back, in the wake of a family tragedy, he dropped from the public eye and went off the grid.
They've got a secret.
When Jack's mom gets sick, he comes home to the family's Texas ranch to help out. Only one catch: He doesn't want his family to know about his stalker. Or the bodyguard thing. And so Hannah—against her will and her better judgment—finds herself pretending to be Jack's girlfriend as a cover. Even though her ex, like a jerk, says no one will believe it.
What could possibly go wrong???
Hannah hardly believes it, herself. But the more time she spends with Jack, the more real it all starts to seem. And there lies the heartbreak. Because it's easy for Hannah to protect Jack. But protecting her own, long-neglected heart? That's the hardest thing she's ever done.
More Praise for The Bodyguard:
"Patti Murin gives a terrific performance of this heartwarming contemporary romance." -AudioFile Magazine
"Great rollicking fun! Prepare to laugh and swoon and grin your pants off."—Helen Hoang, New York Times bestselling author of The Heart Principle
"My perfect 10 of a book. As funny and sweet as all the very best nineties rom-coms, but with Center's signature heart-tugging depth. I wish I could erase it from my mind just to read it again for the first time. A shot of pure joy."—Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Book Lovers
"The Bodyguard is absolutely, unequivocally delightful!"—Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wish You Were Here
A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press.
Author's note read by the author.
New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center's The Bodyguard is unabashedly romantic, laugh-out-loud funny, and the perfect summer read.
She's got his back.
Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten teacher than somebody who could kill you with a wine bottle opener. Or a ballpoint pen. Or a dinner napkin. But the truth is, she's an Executive Protection Agent (aka "bodyguard"), and she just got hired to protect superstar actor Jack Stapleton from his middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker.
He's got her heart.
Jack Stapleton's a household name—captured by paparazzi on beaches the world over, famous for, among other things, rising out of the waves in all manner of clingy board shorts and glistening like a Roman deity. But a few years back, in the wake of a family tragedy, he dropped from the public eye and went off the grid.
They've got a secret.
When Jack's mom gets sick, he comes home to the family's Texas ranch to help out. Only one catch: He doesn't want his family to know about his stalker. Or the bodyguard thing. And so Hannah—against her will and her better judgment—finds herself pretending to be Jack's girlfriend as a cover. Even though her ex, like a jerk, says no one will believe it.
What could possibly go wrong???
Hannah hardly believes it, herself. But the more time she spends with Jack, the more real it all starts to seem. And there lies the heartbreak. Because it's easy for Hannah to protect Jack. But protecting her own, long-neglected heart? That's the hardest thing she's ever done.
More Praise for The Bodyguard:
"Patti Murin gives a terrific performance of this heartwarming contemporary romance." -AudioFile Magazine
"Great rollicking fun! Prepare to laugh and swoon and grin your pants off."—Helen Hoang, New York Times bestselling author of The Heart Principle
"My perfect 10 of a book. As funny and sweet as all the very best nineties rom-coms, but with Center's signature heart-tugging depth. I wish I could erase it from my mind just to read it again for the first time. A shot of pure joy."—Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Book Lovers
"The Bodyguard is absolutely, unequivocally delightful!"—Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wish You Were Here
A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press.
Critiques-
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May 9, 2022
Center’s fluffy latest (after What You Wish For) follows a workaholic bodyguard as she protects and slowly falls for her client, handsome movie star Jack Stapleton, who’s visiting his sick mom in Texas. Hannah Brooks is at the top of her field, having been snatched from FBI recruitment by her boss, Glenn Schultz, for his security agency. After she’s dumped by a smarmy coworker, Glenn assigns Hannah to protect the charming Jack (who’s dealing with a stalker) as he drops in on his estranged brother and their mom, who’s been diagnosed with breast cancer. Not wanting to alarm them, Hannah pretends to be Jack’s girlfriend. When Hannah begins to suspect that Jack might be attracted to her (which, if so, would make the feeling mutual), she considers confessing to Glenn that she might not be up to the task. Hannah’s dilemma feels much more like a rom-com trope than a real-world situation, but it works amid the lighthearted atmosphere. The story perks up whenever Hannah shows off her bodyguard prowess, but these scenes are few and far between. Though other books deal more creatively with the well-worn tropes at play, Center’s confection satisfies on its own terms. -
Patti Murin gives a terrific performance of this heartwarming contemporary romance. Hannah is an executive protection agent who is assigned to guard Hollywood superstar and sexiest-man-alive Jack when he returns to his parents' Texas ranch to help his mother, who is battling cancer. Because Jack doesn't want to alarm his parents about a threat to his life, Hannah reluctantly becomes his fake girlfriend. Murin excels at creating distinct and nuanced characters of all ages and genders, and is especially adept with male voices. She splendidly manifests the slow-burn attraction between Hannah and Jack. Her propulsive pacing and well-defined character portraits create an engaging listen. Katherine Center gives a heartfelt narration of her author's note. M.J. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
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September 1, 2022
Hannah Brooks does not look like your average bodyguard. In fact, she looks like she would never harm a fly, but she can kill you with just about any everyday object. Movie star Jack Stapleton is buff and built like a Roman god--and in need of Hannah's help to protect him from a middle-aged, corgi-breeding stalker. When Jack has to go home, Hannah pretends to be his girlfriend so she can be around to protect him. What could possibly go wrong? Perfectly narrated by Patti Murin, Hannah and the cast of characters are brought to life with wit, humor, and spunk. Fans of romance novels with strong female characters will love Hannah. As stated in the author's note, this novel is meant to be light and fluffy, written in the middle of the COVID pandemic, and it is. VERDICT Center's (What You Wish For) latest is a must add to any collection.--Elyssa Everling
Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
